MPATH Faculty
MPATH Pod Leaders
Each MPATH will be assigned to a small group called a Pod. Each Pod will have its own Pod Leader.
The Pod Leaders are experienced massage therapists who have worked or are working in palliative care and hospice settings with interdisciplinary teams. Pod Leaders meet with their Pods once each month for small group meetings for mentorship and support in the development of their portfolios.
The MPATH program has borrowed generously from accepted models of competency-based medical education currently in use in nursing and physician education programs. As such, each MPATH will be building a portfolio comprised of assessments, self-reflections, feedback from their externship preceptors and other indications of their path in the program as engaged learners. The Pod Leaders will be an essential support to MPATHs in this process.
Education Director at Healwell
Ericka Clinton is Heawell's Education Director and a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist. She obtained her license in 1998...
after earning a Massage Therapy Diploma from the Swedish Institute. She has been a faculty member and administrator at the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences in New York City since 2000. As a member of the faculty she has taught practical classes in both Western and Eastern modalities and supervised clinical internships and externships.
Ericka maintains a private practice as a massage therapist, and has worked as a massage therapist for NY Presbyterian Medical Center's Integrative Medicine Program and from 2011-2013 worked at the Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center run by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She currently serves as the President for the Board of Directors for the Society for Oncology Massage.
Ericka received a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesthetic Neuroscience in 2015 from Empire State College. She has continued to study various forms of structural and myofascial bodywork. She currently teaches a variety of continuing education courses for Massage Therapists in NY and outside the US. Her courses cover various topics such as oncology massage, Shiatsu, medical massage, anatomy and working with special populations.
Clinical Supervisor at the Teal Center
Lucille A. Eddy has been a practicing massage therapist and massage therapy educator for many years. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, she...
graduated from the Potomac Massage Training Institute in February of 2004.
Lucille was a founding member of Healwell’s clinical team working very closely with Healwell’s Executive Director, Cal Cates, to establish Healwell’s programs and clinical standards. She has taught oncology massage all over the US, as well as Australia and Canada and she co-created Healwell’s hospital-based massage therapy course curriculum for both pediatric and adult settings.
Lucille keeps her life-work balance by volunteering at the Military Women’s Memorial, playing golf, and hanging with her dog Earl.
Integrative Therapist, LMT, CPMTII, CIMT at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Tiffany Silliman Cohen is a full-time hospital-based massage therapist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), specializing in...
pediatric and infant massage. Since 2016, she has focused on advancing pediatric massage therapy both inpatient and in the community. Tiffany trained at Touchstone Healing Arts Massage School in Vermont in 2012 and has since owned and operated her own practice, working with adults and children before going into hospital-based massage work fulltime in 2019. She holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology and cross-cultural sociology with a minor in Spanish from Wells College. Tiffany completed advanced trainings through Liddle Kidz Foundation, Healwell, John F. Barnes MFR, and more specializing in pediatric oncology, palliative care, trauma, and hospital-based massage. Her expertise includes working with medically complex children, those fighting cancer, those with chronic pain (e.g., sickle cell), autistic children, medically fragile infants, TBI, and CP. Tiffany is passionate about expanding access to therapeutic massage for pediatric populations and looks forward to expanding this important field and encouraging more to join her.
Massage Therapist, Author, Instructor Specializing in Palliative Care
Cindy became a massage therapist specializing in end-of-life care after her father-in-law's dying wish for touch inspired her...
to go to massage school. She has worked in chemotherapy infusion centers, private oncology practice, home hospice, and most recently with medically complex patients in the hospice inpatient setting.
Cindy teaches a 20-hour CE class for massage therapists and others who wish to provide gentle touch for people at the end of life. She is a published author (Palliative Touch: Massage for People at the End of Life, available at Handspring and elsewhere) and was awarded the Irene Smith Palliative Care Award in 2023 by the Society for Oncology Massage. She can be found at
http://www.finaltouchtraining.com
or the beach.
Cindy knows that small things are magnified in the context of the dying experience. And she loves that she might get to be the person who holds someone's hand as they take their last breaths, or the person who brings a newly-bereaved loved one a cup of warm tea. Being of humble service gives her life meaning.
Her favorite part of her work is getting to be privy to the tenderness between human beings as they say goodbye to one another. She also loves the juxtapositions of striking opposites and ambiguity of human experience. In the midst of profound suffering, there is often absurd humor. Confusion can be punctuated by moments of utter clarity. Anguish can be interrupted by moments of exquisite beauty. She is amazed that she gets to be there for all of it.
MPATH Faculty
Healwell's MPATH Program is supported by an impressive interdisciplinary faculty that includes nurses, chaplains, social workers, physicians, ethicists, massage therapists, and others from leading hospitals, universities and clinical programs around the world.
One of the aspects that makes the MPATH Program unique is this direct access to and experience with providers from other disciplines. We are honored by their collaborative spirit and commitment to clinical excellence.
Massage Therapist & Educator
Morgana Alexander has been a massage therapist since 2008 and an educator since 2017...
One word that would describe her is "curious" - particularly when it comes to understanding the intricate workings of the human body. Following her graduation from massage school, she delved deeper into her passion, obtaining a degree in Kinesiology and a certificate in Health Sciences.
When she's not making the world a better place one massage at a time, you can find her reading a book, having a solo dance party to 90's pop, planning an adventure, or giving the biggest squeeze hugs to her niece.
Clinical Lead at Healwell
Steph Bean is a Clinical Lead at Healwell. Steph graduated from Potomac Massage Training Institute...
and received an Associate’s Degree in Health Education from Montgomery College, both in 2005 and has made a career of working with people to better understand and support their own health and healing ever since. Steph has training in traditional massage work, neuromuscular therapy, trauma integration, and also has experience working with complicated medical needs and with people in all stages of life and at the end of life. Other specialized training includes Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy, a very gentle modality that supports the nervous system. Steph's goal is to provide resources for integrating the body’s experience in a way that helps facilitate the ability to be present, enabling better access to one’s whole body, mind, and spirit.
Off the job, Steph is very involved in family, their faith community, getting lost in a good book, and enjoying nature whenever possible.
Service Director at Healwell
Laura is Healwell's Service Director and a member of the curriculum development team...
As Healwell’s Service Director, Laura coordinates, supervises, and provides care for Healwell’s hands-on programs and cultivates and strengthens relationships with medical and administrative staff.
Laura has been a practicing massage therapist since 2018 and a manual lymph drainage therapist since 2019. Before becoming a licensed massage therapist, Laura taught English in Japan for 19 years. It was in massage school that she heard of something called “oncology massage” and felt drawn to it. Passionate about learning, Laura has continued her advanced training in the fields of oncology massage, scar tissue manipulation and manual lymph drainage. She has provided massage in a variety of settings including corporate, private practice and spas. Because of her own massage experiences, Laura appreciates how massage can play a supportive role in health care and the journey that is being human.
Executive Director at Healwell
Cal Cates is Healwell's founder and Executive Director. They have been a massage therapist since 2005...
and an advocate for a better world since they lobbied for a National Working Horses Day in 3rd grade.
Over the course of their career, Cal has become an award-winning writer, published researcher, and international speaker. They have trained thousands of healthcare providers in skills of resiliency, self-awareness, communication, and forgiveness.
Cal has dedicated their career to advocacy in healthcare, massage therapy as social justice, and to revolutionizing education for healthcare providers. They will dance at any party anywhere.
Principal at LifeSprings Consulting Group & CEO at The Carolinas Center for Hospice and End of Life Care
Marisette Hasan has worked professionally as an RN since 1981 in various roles: oncology nurse...
hospice nurse, clinical manager, home health and hospice administrator, and nurse consultant. She is passionately engaged in supporting hospice and palliative care providers in North and South Carolina through leadership, innovation, public advocacy, and regulatory technical assistance.
With the onset of COVID-19 and the spotlight on health inequities, she began providing consultation on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) both regionally and nationally. As an African American nurse and Senior Executive Leader, she brings a unique perspective to help increase access to care for Black and Brown communities. Notably, she led a grassroots advance care planning initiative funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of South Carolina, focusing on rural and underserved communities.
She has been a guest speaker/panel facilitator for various regional and national forums, promoting public advocacy on building trust and improving serious illness care in Black and Brown communities. In 2023, Marisette launched Life Spring Consulting Group offering a range of uniquely inspired education and collaboration services for hospice and palliative care teams and providers.
Death Doula and End of Life Educator at Loyal Hands & President of National End-of-Life Doula Alliance
Ashley Johnson is president of the National End-of-Life Doula Alliance. She is a dedicated professional...
with a passion for ensuring compassionate and informed end-of-life care for all.
With a diverse background and an unwavering commitment to her community, Ashley is at the forefront of the death care industry. As an alumna of the University of Florida, a licensed direct disposer and celebrant, Ashley possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in end-of-life practices.
Her journey began in a low socio-economic neighborhood, where she witnessed the need for advocacy and support in navigating these sensitive moments. This experience fueled her determination to make a difference.
With over a decade of experience spanning from forensic anthropology to whole-body donation, Ashley founded Loyal Hands, an end-of-life doula consulting agency. Loyal Hands is dedicated to providing education, services, resources, and companionship to agencies, the elderly, and even those in good health, recognizing that everyone has an end-of-life journey to navigate.
Ashley actively engages with various organizations, including memberships in the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA), and the Florida Palliative Care Coalition.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Ashley volunteers at several hospices and non-profit organizations, and she serves as the event director for the "Get Your Rear in Gear" 5k run/walk event for the Colon Cancer Coalition.
Ashley has been a part of a PsychArmor Working Group, contributing to the creation of a series dedicated to caring for veterans through end of life. Her educational background includes a Non-Profit Management Certificate from the University of Central Florida. As a member of the Compassion & Choices African American Leadership Council and a TEDx speaker, Ashley amplifies her voice to advocate for improved end-of-life care, diversity, and inclusivity in the field.
Chief Executive Officer at PANDA Education Consultants
Deborah Lafond, DNP, PPCNP-BC, CPON, CHPPN, FPCN, FAAN
is Founder and Chief Executive...
Officer of the PANDA Education Consultants, an organization created to develop, implement and evaluate interprofessional pediatric and neonatal primary palliative care education and mentorship in clinical practice and on professional resilience.
Dr. Lafond also provides consultation on pediatric palliative care program development.
Dr. Lafond worked as a Nurse Practitioner at Children's National Hospital for more than 30 years. She was Director of clinical services for the Pediatric Advanced Needs Assessment and Care Team (affectionately known as the PANDA Care Team) from 2012-2024. The PANDA Care Team provides care to infants, children, adolescents and young adults with a variety of life-limiting illnesses, from the time of diagnosis to assist in decision making, symptom management, promotion of comfort and quality of life.
In her role as Director of clinical services, Dr. Lafond served as as the primary nurse practitioner for the team and coordinated a variety of clinical, educational, research and community outreach activities to promote access to palliative and end-of-life care for children with advanced life-limiting illnesses.
Clinical Lead at Healwell
Dawn Lamonica is a Clinical Lead at Healwell...
She has been a professional massage therapist for over 20 years, practicing in Miami, Boston, and the District of Columbia.
In her role as Clinical Lead, Dawn provides massage therapy to adults and children affected by serious illness, co-teaches Healwell's hospital-based massage therapy courses, and provides administrative support to the Service Director.
Associate Program Director, Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship at Children's National Hospital
Ashley Lanzel, MD, MA, trained in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital, pediatric hematology-oncology...
at Emory/Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and hospice and palliative medicine at the National Institutes of Health. While at Emory University, she obtained a Master of Arts in bioethics. Her research focus is in decision-making, communication, palliative oncology and pediatric palliative ethics. She enjoys being a clinical educator. When she is not at work, she is having fun with her kids.
Founder and Executive Director of Tip It Forward
Kammaleathahh Livingstone is a Board Certified Structural Integrator with certification from Anatomy Trains...
and is a multi-speciality licensed massage therapist with a focus on health equity and trauma-informed care.
Since 2007, learning to adapt therapeutic bodywork cross-culturally, she has worked with people from every continent, from countries such as Palestine, Nepal, and Mexico, and people of various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Kammaleathahh has a degree in Sociology/Cultural Anthropology and Peace and Conflict Studies from Guilford College. She is the founder and Executive Director of
Tip It Forward
, a nonprofit based in Louisville, Ky on a mission to provide equitable, trauma-informed, whole health services to underserved individuals, families, and neighborhoods.
Faculty Director, Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care at CSUSM at California State University San Marcos
Faculty Director, Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care at CSUSM at California State University...
San Marcos
Massage Therapist, Researcher & Educator
Ronna Moore is a Remedial, Oncology and Palliative Care Massage and Lymphoedema Therapist...
located in Melbourne Australia.
Ronna is a member of Massage Myotherapy Australia, the Australasian Lymphology Association, Palliative Care Australia and the Society for Oncology Massage. She is employed as a massage therapist in a major comprehensive cancer centre.Ronna has a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care from the University of Melbourne and is currently a Graduate Researcher in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University investigating the role of massage therapy in Australian specialist palliative care settings.
Ronna is a certified Mindfulness Based Stillness Meditation Teacher and a trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. Ronna is an enthusiastic supporter of Healwell, its people and their mission.
Chair and Associate Professor - Department of Health Sciences at Indiana University School of Health & Human Sciences
Niki Munk, Ph.D., LMT, is Chair and Associate Professor in the department of Health Sciences at Indiana...
University School of Health & Human Sciences. She is a clinically trained and licensed massage therapist and completed her doctoral training in gerontology at the University of Kentucky.
Munk is one of 13 international fellows in the International Complementary Medicine Research leadership program at University Technology Sydney (UTS): Australian Research Centre in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM). In addition, Munk is a Massage Therapy Foundation trustee and co-investigator on the VA-funded TOMCATT study, which examines care-ally assisted and therapist provided massage for veterans with chronic neck pain.
Prior to beginning her appointment as faculty at the School of Health & Human Sciences, Munk worked in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Kentucky on the KYPROS study which examined real-world massage therapy for primary care patients with chronic low back pain. Before her research career, Munk was the associate then program director for the Lexington Healing Arts Academy in Lexington, Kentucky, and president of In Touch Inc., which provided massage therapy for older adults in their homes, care centers, or in professional therapeutic space.
Munk’s research explores real-world massage therapy for chronic low back pain, trigger point self-care, massage for amputation related sequelae, and the reporting and impact of massage related case reports among other projects. Among Munk’s various academic duties, she is a core professor in the school’s doctoral program in health and rehabilitation sciences and teaches the aging-related courses in the undergraduate health sciences program. Munk was recognized for her excellence in teaching and mentoring with the 2018 IU Indianapolis trustees’ teaching award.
Founder and CEO for the CareWell Center and Senior Advisor at (C-TAC)
Elder Angela Overton, M.Div., is widely known for her realistic and dynamic teaching style...
She has been preaching, teaching, and providing pastoral care in congregations and communities for over 30 years.
She is the founder and CEO for the CareWell Center in Louisville, KY, where she works with faith leaders to care well for those in their respective communities. She is a Senior Advisor at the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care (C-TAC) and works with faith leaders, community-based organizations, and diversity leaders across the United States to improve serious illness care in our health systems.
Angela is a cancer survivor, which she believes has been one of her greatest accomplishments and best experiences outside of being a mother. It is her belief that this experience provided the lens of the patient and fueled her desire, drive and devotion to intersect spiritual and clinical care for those facing illness. She has volunteered for, and worked with numerous faith-based and not-for-profit organizations. She currently sits on the board of Care Guide Partners, Grantmakers in Aging Task Force on Equity in Aging Philanthropy, and Wurzweiler School of Social Work Yeshiva University Interfaith Clergy Advisory Committee.
Angela earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a concentration in Social Sciences from the University of Louisville and a Master of Divinity degree and a Black Church Studies Certificate from Louisville Seminary. She received her ordination as Elder at Mount Zion Fellowship in Cleveland, OH and as Reverend at Green Castle Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.
Assistant professor in the CEHHS School of Nursing at California State University San Marcos
Katie Robinson, PhD, RN-BC, CHPN is an assistant professor in the College of Education, Health, and...
Human Services’ (CEHHS) School of Nursing. As the Community Health Course Lead, she oversees the undergraduate community health nursing curriculum. As the Palliative Care Curriculum Coordinator and Committee Chair, she also helps develop and coordinate palliative care content integration across nursing programs.
Dr. Robinson has practiced in community-based nursing care since 2006, specializing in home-based hospice and palliative nursing since 2009. She has been board-certified as a hospice and palliative nurse since 2011. Dr. Robinson completed her Master of Nursing Science (MSN) in Executive Nurse Leadership (2018) and PhD in Nursing (Woltman Palliative Care Research Scholar; 2020) at the University of San Diego (USD). Her dissertation research examined the relationship between pain and spiritual distress for patients newly admitted to hospice.
Dr. Robinson’s research interests include early identification and assessment of palliative care needs by interprofessional palliative care teams, and better integration of interprofessional interventions for pain and symptom management. In partnership with UC San Diego Health’s palliative care department, her current research is focused on development of a spiritual distress risk screening instrument to prompt urgent referrals to chaplain and other interdisciplinary team members and initiate early comprehensive intervention for high-risk patients.
Dr. Robinson remains actively involved in the interprofessional palliative care community through involvement in various activities and organizations. These include hospice and palliative clinical education consulting; active maintenance of board certification; participation in exam development committees for the Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center; scholarly and service activities with the CSU Shiley Haynes Institute for Palliative Care and its partner CSU campuses; and long-standing membership in the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association (HPNA) and the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California (among other nursing organization memberships).
